This time of year, like clockwork, people start the new year with fresh hope and big plans. Many people even make formal resolutions, and almost as many people abandon their resolutions a few weeks into the year. Yet, we continue this pattern, year after year. It’s not an exercise in futility.
Endeavoring to improve ourselves, our habits, surroundings, or behaviors is an act of courage. It takes great optimism to believe these things are possible and great confidence to believe we are capable of making these changes. Those of us who participate in this annual practice are truly brave. We know we may not succeed and yet, we try. We have hope. We are ambitious.
So often those of us in helping professions tend to put others first. We serve our patients and clients, our families, colleagues, and our communities. We must also be intentional about taking the time to be of service to ourselves, to nurture our own bodies and spirits as humans, as professionals, and as members of our various communities. Through our acts of self-care and of modeling appropriate boundaries we encourage others to be as brave, to step out of race – even for a moment – to care for themselves.
I challenge you to set aside 15 minutes of your time each day. Pause, breathe, take a walk, play ball with your dog, engage with a friend or loved one meaningfully and with your undivided attention. Do something restorative.
Whether you take my 15-minute challenge, or make your own resolution, I hope you succeed. I’m cheering for you. And if you fall short, you can always start again tomorrow, still as brave, and still as worthy.
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Written by: Mary C Allias EdD, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA
Director, Doctor of PA Studies Program